When writing a scientific paper, you will need to do more than just present your results. Researchers are also expected to explain the meaning of their results in a way that other researchers as well as general readers can understand. This task is carried out in the discussion section of a scientific paper. Knowing how to write the discussion section gives you the tools to communicate results and their implications effectively, highlighting the value of your own study in the process. 

What is the discussion section in science?

The discussion section in scientific research is where you place your findings in the context of other research, discussing the implications of your findings. This may involve considering whether your results confirm or challenge existing knowledge, or if the results were expected or a surprise considering any working hypotheses.  

The discussion section typically follows the results section, but it may also be combined with the preceding section.   

Why is this section important? 

At its core, the discussion section should serve as a justification for your study. It does not just restate the data or findings from the results section; it explains what these numbers or findings mean, and why it was important that your study discovered such information. 

The discussion section makes clear to other researchers the depth of your study’s contribution to your research field. From the discussion section, general readers are also able to get an idea of the real-world implications for society or individual wellbeing, and what realistic clinical or practical applications of your study findings might look like. This is especially applicable to studies in high-stakes fields such as healthcare and environmental sustainability.

How to write a discussion section 

Although the discussion section of a scientific paper comes towards the end of the manuscript, the contents of this section should be considered from the start. Why is your original hypothesis necessary in the context of previous studies, the existing literature, and real-world issues? This is what you will need to ask yourself before you begin your research, but it is also what you will need to confront when it comes to writing the discussion section. But what knowledge is needed to know how to write a discussion section? 

When approaching writing the discussion section, it will be useful to break it down into elements to include and elements to avoid.

Elements to include 

Here are some key elements to include in the discussion section: 

• Explanation of the meaning and importance of findings 

• Contextualise the findings within existing, relevant literature 

• Highlight the limitations of the study 

• Consider alternative explanations of your findings, if appropriate 

• State the real-world relevance of the findings 

• Explore future research directions. 

Like with the methods section of a scientific paper, it is useful to treat the discussion section as a narrative. Doing so brings the isolated data points of your study together into a cohesive story. This framework guides the reader through your findings, allowing them to see the meaning, importance, limitations, and real-world impact of your study. 

Elements to avoid 

Here are some key elements to avoid in the discussion section: 

• Overinterpretation of findings 

• Unwarranted speculation based on findings 

• Inflation of importance of findings 

• Erroneous conclusions.

As these elements show, researchers must avoid making unnecessary claims through overinterpretation, unwarranted speculation, overexaggeration, and misguided conclusions. The data you have gathered are the data you are discussing; only make claims based on what the data shows, and even then, treat your findings with caution. If you are drawing a conclusion, make sure the data supports it and that any speculation is within the bounds of what the study has determined.

Ensuring your research paper is submission-ready  

When writing the discussion section, always consult with submission guidelines for the journal you are submitting to.  See MDPI’s Instructions for Authors for more information on completing research manuscript sections. For in-depth guides to writing research paper sections, see our blog posts on how to write the results section without discussing and how to write a good introduction for your academic paper. 

Need professional help with the structure of your research paper, including your methods section? At MDPI Author Services, we specialise in helping researchers prepare their manuscripts for publication. Our Academic Editing Service provides subject-specific expertise and in-depth technical refinement during the manuscript preparation phase, helping to improve the scientific content and structure of the paper as the author is guided from pre- to post-publication.   

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